Etihad Airways to expand global reach

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will launch six new routes in the first half of 2015, offering even more choice and improved connections to travellers worldwide.

Network
grows to 107 passenger and cargo destinations.

New
services will increase coverage in Europe, Asia and Africa.

First
non-stop flight launched between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.

First
Class cabin to be added on Singapore, Brisbane and Moscow routes.

Daily flights will
commence to the European capitals of Madrid (Spain) and Edinburgh (Scotland)
next year, together with the historic state capital of Kolkata (India) and one
of the most important business and government centres in East Africa, Entebbe
(Uganda).

The airline will
also operate four flights a week to the world-class tourism and economic hub,
Hong Kong, and three flights a week to Algeria’s vibrant capital and largest
city, Algiers.

In addition,
Etihad Airways’ existing daily flights to Brisbane (Australia), currently
operated via Singapore, will become a direct service from June 2015, offering
the first non-stop connection between the city and Abu Dhabi. The route will be
operated using a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the airline’s brand
new First Suite, Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat.

Further service
upgrades in June 2015 include the introduction of a three-class Airbus A330-300
aircraft on daily flights to Singapore, and a three-class Boeing 787-9
Dreamliner on daytime flights to Moscow, marking the debut of First Class
cabins on both of the existing routes.

James Hogan,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Our global
network development in the first half of 2015 supports a long-term vision to
provide travellers with an extensive range of destinations and connections over
Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub. These new destinations have been selected to
expand our coverage and strengthen our customer proposition in the
strategically important markets of Europe, Asia and Africa.

“The expansion will also create new opportunities to enhance our
codeshare agreements and align operations with key airline partners, such as
Virgin Australia, Jet Airways, Air Seychelles, Air Europa and Kenya Airways.
Between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, for instance, our four weekly flights will
combine with Air Seychelles’ three weekly flights to provide a daily
frequency.”

Etihad Airways’
global passenger and cargo network will increase to 107 destinations following
the route expansion in the first half of 2015. The total includes five new
routes already launched this year to Medina, Jaipur, Zurich, Los Angeles and
Yerevan, together with four upcoming services to Perth, Rome, Phuket and
Dallas, which commence over the remainder of 2014.

The airline will
also continue to increase frequencies on existing services in H1 2015,
providing travellers with even more comprehensive travel choices. Network depth
will be added to important markets across the North America, Middle East and
Indian subcontinent regions.

As part of the Etihad
Airways’ ongoing fleet development, nine aircraft are scheduled for delivery in
the first half of next year, comprising three Airbus A380s, three Boeing 787-9
Dreamliners and threeA320 family aircraft. The airline currently has 102
aircraft in its fleet, with over 210 additional aircraft on firm order, plus
options and purchase rights for 81 further aircraft.